Ontario Garage Association executives call for national voice, more training

The Automotive Aftermarket Retailers Association of Ontario, (AARO) is calling for sweeping changes to the way the aftermarket does business, including national representation and a “force majeur” effort against OE encroachment in the repair market. Speaking to SSGM, AARO director and 31-year industry veteran Dave Peck notes that manufacturers are increasingly aggressive in marketing all-makes repair services. “They’re doing a super job of advertising”, declares Peck, adding, “How do we prioritize? We’re under attack from the OE’s who are trying to take market share from us. Consumers make their decisions based on that advertising.” Peck feels that the OE push may discourage the best apprentices from going to independent shops. “It’s about the young techs coming into the trade, too. They’re affected by this advertising.” A possible solution to the problem is a stronger national voice for independent shops, according to AARO past president and longtime Toronto-area independent Wally Clayson. “I think people are misinformed. I have a 25-year customer who bought a new car and was told by the dealer that she’d have to go to the dealer for service to keep her warranty. We know that’s not true. They imply that that’s what you must do. We need a national voice to tell people.” With recent announcements by the Automotive Industries Association (AIA) declaring a new focus on the installer, Peck feels that cooperation or a loose federation of provincial associations is a workable idea. “It would be difficult to run as one national association, but as a confederation, it could. I think the AIA can represent themselves, but I don’t think they understand our issues any more than we understand theirs. I t would probably be in our best interests to work together, as opposed to one or the other running an association. CARS can help get the word out that you’ve got to be a progressive shop.” Industry veteran Clayson agrees: “One association or an amalgamation of the different associations, we’ve got to make someone with a $40 hour door rate understand what they’re doing to the industry.” AARO’s web site is www.aaro.ca